Founder and creator of Bond No. 9, Laurice Rahme knows scents that appeal to every woman. From her inspiring career and notable scents and packaging to the backstory of the Bond No. 9 car, which can be spotted around NYC, Laurice graces Style Solutions with her story. Read on darlings, this is part I. 

S: Let’s start from the beginning. Why fragrances? 

L: Originally I studied art history in Paris and worked for a well-known antique dealer. After a few years, my passion for beauty and art took me into the heart of the beauty industry: to L’Oreal and from there into the world of perfumes, working with some of the greatest names in the fragrance universe. I came to the US almost 30 years ago with the famous perfume creator, Annick Goutal, to introduce her brand and creations to the US market. The time with Annick and what I have learned from her remain one of my strongest sources of inspiration.

S: Speaking of inspiration, how do you develop scents that always seem to be fresh and new?

L: I get inspired every day by life in NYC and its incredible energy; it is always fresh and new. All of us who live here feel that constant renewing fast-paced forward-motion that sparks creativity everywhere.

S: I can’t decide what I love more, your scent or your packaging. 

L: As with everything we do at Bond No. 9, our packaging is truly inspired by the neighborhoods of NY. Each neighborhood has its own character, beauty, and idiosyncrasies; our packaging as well as our fragrances celebrate this uniqueness.

S: Tell me about your amazing sample program!

L: We have an extensive sample program with our award-winning “bon bons”: sample vials that are reminiscent of French candies, hand-wrapped in chic, metallic wrappers in the signature color of each fragrance. To us, sampling is an intimate gesture and our customers absolutely love it.

S: I know I do! Which perfume does the best?

L: It really varies by the season. Our most recent launch, New York Amber, a perfume based on the precious and ancient ingredients of Amber and Musk, is very coveted by our customer, as is our Bond No. 9 Signature Perfume. Other sought after scents include Scent of Peace and Madison Square Park.

S: And your favorite?

L: I love them all, but right now my favorite is the one I am currently working on!

Stay tuned for part II tomorrow!